Politics & Government

Revitalization Task Force Gives First Status Update

Karen Houck, newly elected chairperson of the township's revitalization task force, gave a presentation with a tone of high-energy and hope in her first status update to the Community Development Committee.

The township’s new gave its first status report at the Community Development Committee meeting last night.

Karen Houck, the newly elected chairperson for the task force, gave the committee a general overview of the first meeting, which took place Feb. 23.

“First I’d like to say how excited I am about the tremendous opportunity we have here,” Houck told the committee. “We’re committed to making Upper Moreland the best it can be.”

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The first order of business for the task force was to elect governing members, including Houck’s chairperson position, and Mariann O’Connor, who was elected vice-chairperson.

Houck said that the first meeting was geared toward getting better acquainted with the task force members, who come from diverse backgrounds relating to the township.

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Houck further noted the need for getting members all on the same page, as some have served on previous revitalization task forces, while others were becoming more familiar with the scope and history of revitalization efforts in Willow Grove.

During the Feb. 23 task force meeting, members identified strengths and weaknesses within the group, discussed the means for potential revitalization projects, and emphasized team-building measures so that future meetings will be able to focus on prioritizing issues and ultimately suggesting action to the board of commissioners.

“There’s a lot of energy there, with very open and innovative thinking,” Joseph Lavalle, chair of the Community Development Committee, said.

Lavalle, who is a member of the task force, was present at the first meeting.

“I think just from the attitudes from the first meeting, it was a step in the right direction,” he said.

During her presentation, Houck highlighted the topic of the next task force meeting: the train station relocation feasibility study.

The next meeting is is scheduled for March 23 at 7:30 p.m. in the Township Building.

The task force will serve as the steering committee for the relocation project, and the group will host a presentation about committing the township to the feasibility study. Representatives from the county, SEPTA and the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission are expected to attend.

The task force meetings are open to the public and will meet on a monthly basis every fourth Wednesday in the Township Building.

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More from the reporter’s notebook:

  • Dog Park update

construction has begun. The township has started clearing debris from Mill Creek Park. According to Public Works director Jack Snyder, township workers will most likely continue construction next Wednesday, as ground becomes drier and weather more cooperative.


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